A 20 Year Old Promise...That I Still Plan to Keep!!!

20 Years Later...Where am I Now?

20 years ago, May 1995, was a very important time for me as it was the first time that I appeared in a nationally renowned magazine, Entrepreneur, in an article entitled "Head Start - Entrepreneurial programs give today's youth a competitive edge" written by Cynthia E. Griffin [that's me in the article photo].  I remember the photo shoot like it was yesterday, and one of the questions that I was asked during the shoot.  "Where will you be in 20 years?"  

This all came about after coming across a copy of the magazine and making me think about my current business aspirations as it relates to this article and more importantly to the response that I gave which was a truly optimistic and naive response..."semi-retired...working 4 hours a day doing the two things that I love to do; working with computers and helping people"  “I think I will reach that goal by the time I turn 35 years old.” 

Some may say that I have actually reached the goal that I set for myself, however it is not the way that I initially envisioned it.  Of course, being 25 years old, I was filled with high aspirations for myself and did not see any limit to the success that I would be able to achieve in 20 years; especially after the success that I had already experienced during the first four years of pursuing my entrepreneurial endeavors. 

I just turned 45 years old [which is not always guaranteed these days – so I chose to celebrate it like it was my 25^th birthday]; I have started a new business where I will be working with computers with a mission of helping individuals (novice and beginner users) to become more efficient, effective, and productive users of technology and computers; and I ONLY “work” about 4 hours a day. Not because I am semi-retired, but because I am currently dealing with health issues that at best allow me to concentrate and use computers between 3-4 hours a day before taking a toll on me mentally and physically.  So you see I have reached the goal I set forth 20 years ago, just not in the way that I initially thought I would.  Not to mention the obstacles that “Life” itself can put in one’s way as her or she pursues their personal goals.  I won’t get into that right now even though it has played a very important role into the delaying the time frame for achieving my entrepreneurial endeavors originated from this article in May of 1995.

That being said, I have decided to use the 20^th anniversary of this article as motivation to set new goals, based on those from this article, new strategies and a clearer more defined story of success to be told in 2025.  So put on your seat belts and enjoy the ride.

Click here to read the article as a PDF file.

To learn more about TAB Training & Consulting, LLC, 

please visit my web site at www.tabtraining.com

A Tip on How to Stay Cool During the Month of August...

BEAT THE HEAT!!!

Learn something new about technology/computers!

First: Stay Home, Turn on Your Fan or A/C, Then Turn on Your Computer

Next: Read the Monthly Bulletin Below to Learn What's New at TABTC, LLC this Month

Finally: Visit my Web Site after You Decide Which Computer Skill You Want to Upgrade

Check out what's new at

TAB Training & Consulting, LLC

this month!

"Pass the Word" is a monthly bulletin of events
sponsored by TAB Training & Consulting, LLC

Click HERE to view/print this bulletin as a PDF file

Exploring Unknown Territory: The New Operating System Windows 10 (Part 1)

On 7/31/15 I visited a local technology store to inquire about Windows 10 and how much of their current inventory has Windows 10 installed.  One of the salespeople greeted me when I entered the computer area (which felt pretty good) and asked me how I was doing and what was I interested in this morning?  I immediately began to inquire about their stock of Windows 10 ready laptops and if he could demonstrate for me the differences between Windows 10 & Windows 8.1.  At the moment I had not yet upgraded my computer to Windows 10 so I was eager to see how it looked and what were some of the key differences (improvements) over Windows 8.1.  The salesperson showed me about 8 different things that were different between the two operating systems and immediately I was hooked.  I couldn't wait to get back home to see if my system was given the green light for the Free Windows 10 upgrade. 

After the brief demonstration, which was more than I anticipated that I would get, I was then informed that the store was still in the process of obtaining new computers and converting some of their current stock into computers with Windows 10.  So, on top of knowing the 5 Basic Components of a Computer System [a workshop that I offer], you should also know about operating systems.  Take the time to take inventory of your current computer system (desktop, laptop or tablet).

Which is the computer system you use most often (desktop, laptop or tablet)?

Make a list of the following items – the 5 basic components of a computer system:

• CPU (Central Processing Unit): How fast is your computer?
• Memory: How much memory does your computer system have?
• Storage: How much space do you have to store software applications/apps?
• Input: What components do you have to get information into your computer system?
• Output: What components do you have to retrieve/view information from your computer system?

Now let’s add the Operating System to the list.

• What is your operating system?

At the end of the day, before you make a purchase for a new computer system, research, research and more research!  Also, if you don’t or understand something, then ask someone.

More about Windows 10 in my next post!

Ten @ $10 Personal Webinars...Enhance Your Technology Literacy with These One-On-One Sessions

Do You Feel Like This About Your Computer 

(Desktop, Laptop or Tablet)?

Then, Signup For One of the my Personal Sessions Below:

Special Offer: See coupon for $10 Off  a 4-Hour Virtual Training Course

Click here to view/print as a PDF document.

Visit my website, www.tabtraining.com, to purchase these sessions

TABKeys - June 2015 [Volume 01, Issue 01]

Check out the 1st Quarterly Issue of 
TABKeys for 2015

(June 2015 - Volume 01, Issue 01)

Click here to view/print a copy of the entire newsletter as a PDF File

We often hear the words "Microsoft Office Suite" and most of us know what is meant by it.  Some of us have used programs like Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook as employees of companies on an everyday basis; but how many of us are able to identify the other key applications associated with the Microsoft Office Suite of applications that perform a variety of tasks in the workplace.  There are programs like Microsoft Publisher or Microsoft OneNote that are somewhat unknown or unfamiliar as they are considered to be "specialty" applications with specific purposes.

Take a look at my latest newsletter, TABKeys [June 2015-Volume 01-Issue 01], which is now available for viewing to learn more about what I call "The 7 Categories of Desktop Software" and the Microsoft Office Suite applications associated with each category.  There is a brief description of each of the Microsoft Suite applications covered in the newsletter.

Throughout the remainder of the year, TAB Training & Consulting, LLC will be providing information via this blog and frequently sponsored webinars to help promote these applications in the hopes that individuals will begin to use such programs to become more efficient, effective and productive users of technology.  Stay Tuned!

For more information about the services offered by TAB Training & Consulting, LLC and facilitated by Troy A. Burgher, please visit www.tabtraining.com or complete the following request for information form by clicking here.

A Newsletter for Novice & Beginner Users

TABKeys

Quarterly Newsletter on Tech(nology) Literacy

Promotional Issue

is Now Available

TABKeys will feature information on technology and computer literacy that is designed for novice and beginner users of technology and computers. Please take a look at my promotional issue of TABKeys which features articles on:

• - The five basic components of a computer system
• - Things to consider for your next purchase (of a computer system - desktop, laptop or tablet)
• - A sample computer system advertisement
• - A chart that can be used to determine which Microsoft Office package (Office 365 or Office 2013) best suits your application needs.

Promotional Issue - May 2015

Click here to view/print a copy of the entire newsletter as a PDF File

The "Swag" returns to TAB Training & Consulting, LLC in June 2015

June 2015 Motivation

"Don't Wait for Opportunity to Knock...

Build New Doors!"

Check out what's new @
TAB Training and Consulting, LLC
this month!

"Pass the Word" is a monthly bulletin of events
sponsored by TAB Training & Consulting, LLC

Click HERE to view/print this bulletin as a PDF

Check Out What's New @ TABTC, LLC in May 2015!

Click Here to view and/or print the PDF version of the bulletin below

Check out What's Happening @ TAB Training & Consulting, LLC in January

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

There are some very exciting things happening in January 2015!

Click here to view and/or print the PDF version of the bulletin above.

ProfessorTAB...My Story (part 2)

Hello All,

My name is ProfessorTAB; otherwise known as the “accidental social-preneur of technology training” (I’ll share more about that in a later post).  I am a former resident of the New York City Housing Development and that is where it all began!  Little did I know that I was about to embark on a journey that would become my career and life’s mission! 

As I previously stated, it all began one hot evening during the summer of 1992.  There I was sitting in one of the local (Far Rockaway, Queens) community center classrooms preparing for my entrepreneurship class.  The instructor and owner of the program, Mr. K., began the class every evening with a motivational phrase that we would repeat at the beginning and at the end of the class.  The energy in the class was very high even though there were few people in attendance.  This was a shock to me due to the fact that many of the neighborhood residents often complained about the lack of educational resources available in the community center.  Classes were two hours long and we always had some type of homework to complete before the next class.  Six weeks later I received my entrepreneurship certificate after completing and submitting my very first business plan; it must have been a total of 10 pages long (double-spaced).  The business concept I created included typing resumes, school papers, and creating desktop publishing materials for local businesses.  For the first time I felt truly empowered to take control of my life, while embracing my new career path as an entrepreneur. Working at the local supermarket was no longer the goal, even though I managed to become one of the youngest assistant grocery managers there in less than a 2-year period. 

Mr. K. hired me as one of his assistants where I handled all of his company’s computer and graphical responsibilities.   Graduation from the program also bonded me with the gentleman that was passing out the flyers in front of the community center; his name was Mr. J.  He worked for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and also accepted me as his mentee.  His mentorship was instrumental in exposing me to the youth entrepreneurship movement within NYCHA and New York City in general.

My first experience as a presenter happened in 1993 at a city-wide youth conference sponsored by Youth Force, a youth-based organization that promoted youth empowerment in New York City.  I remember being nervous, even with Mr. K. in the room with me, because of the 40 screaming and restless young adults.  Our workshop was about entrepreneurship and we discussed ideas on how they could start their own businesses.  The young adults were very excited and truly embraced the concept of starting their own candy store or t-shirt business.  I remember feeling my confidence growing after getting that workshop under my belt, but now I had to prepare for the big arena.  Within a few months I was heading down to Baltimore, Maryland to be a co-presenter at the First National Youth Entrepreneur Symposium.  I was so excited with the opportunity to travel outside of New York City for my first business trip and to be a part of a growing phenomenon that was exploding all throughout the country – youth entrepreneurship.  

During this same time period, New York City experienced significant changes within its inner-city communities such as new educational and technology-based programs (something other than the typical sports-based programs).  This seemed to be the direct result of NYC having its first and only African-American major, the Honorable David N. Dinkins (1990-1993).   Inner-city communities were growing with a buzz about youth entrepreneurship and business ownership.  The concept of “grassroots” pride and empowerment was growing at a rapid rate and I had my grandmother to be thankful for she instilled in me early on in my life such values and now I had a platform on which to grow.